Saturday, December 18, 2010

GOVERNMENT CHANNEL SCHEDULE published Friday, December 17, 2010, the day following Telecom Board meeting, does not include Telecom Board meeting video to be run during week of 12/17/2010 through 12/12/2010. Bemis' comments, therefore, will not be shown on Cox Cable or AT&T U-verse until long after the Fayetteville City Council meeting at which the CAT contract will be voted on Tuesday, December 21, 2010.
Please click on individual pages to ENLARGE for easy reading.

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Cox Cable advertisement in recent issue of The Northwest Arkansas Times.

For several years I have been able to turn away phone and online salesmen wanting me to take the satellite systems and later the Uverse TV system of AT&T.
But now Cox has set up a situation that will require me to drop their service and take the Uverse, which will automatically cut my cost because I have AT&T phone service already.
Cox has one thing the others don't have: The local public stations at minimal cost.
This is the time for the city administration to begin negotiating with COX. This is a draconian measure that will hurt COX in the long run.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Please click on image to ENLARGE. Two hours after this photo was made on October 12, 2010, this area had been brushogged into oblivion. Sure, the swamp milkweed will sprout from its roots next summer. But these plants not only held pods offering hundreds of milkweed seeds but also were feeding milkweed caterpillars that could have made chrysalises and become final 2010 generation monarchs traveling to Mexico and with a chance to return in spring and find fresh milkweed on which a new generation of monarchs could have been raised to keep the cycle of life intact for this seriously threatened species of migrating butterfly. If you want to talk to your Northwest Arkansas representative on the Highway Commission, he is Dick Trammel.

Monarch caterpillars were still eating the foliage of these swamp milkweeds and the seed pods were almost mature when the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department Mowers came down the road and crushed and cut them off near the ground. Amazing hypocrisy for a state agency that touts its wildflower program. And possibly worse hypocrisy is touting its stormwater-protection work and then mowing and dredging ditches repeatedly every year.

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view.

To learn more about the Arkansas Highway Commission, please see AHC link.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

John Gray debated Blanche Lincoln, John Boozman and Trevor Drown for a Senate seat from Arkansas yesterday. Link to video on AETN Web site. Broadcast was last night on Channel 13.
Tonight's broadcasts on Channel 13 will be for the congressional seat from Arkansas' Fourth District at 7 p.m. and for the congressional seat from Arkansas' Third District at 8 p.m.

Fayetteville's David Whitaker debated the mayor of Rogers today for the Third District seat. That debate begins at 8 p.m. and lasts 60 minutes on AETN channel 13. The video is expected to be on AETN's site later this evening but probably not until after it airs.

This week, Governor Mike Beebe kicks off the fall campaign season and President Bill Clinton is returning home to Arkansas to support our remarkable ticket of Arkansas Democrats. We would like to extend an invitation to you to join many other Arkansas Democrats at these exciting events.

For more information or to RSVP to any or all of these events please contact the individual organizers.

GOVERNOR BEEBE KICKS OFF THE FALL CAMPAIGN SEASON

On Tuesday, September 7, the Governor Mike Beebe campaign invites you to join Governor Beebe at a barbecue to kick off the fall campaign season. Come out for an afternoon of food and fun at the campaign headquarters. Governor Beebe will be there to meet and greet with supporters and deliver remarks.

Please Join Senator Joyce Elliott for a luncheon benefiting her campaign for U.S. Congress with special guest President Bill Clinton.

Wednesday, September 811:00 a.m. Lunch

Copper Grill300 East Third Street, Little Rock

**SPACE IS LIMITED**

To RSVP or for further information, please contact Shelly Baron at (501) 5370190 or shelly@elliottforcongress.com

PRESIDENT CLINTON RECEPTION FOR CAROLYN Y. STALEY

Join campaign Honorary Chair Jimmie Lou Fisher and a host committee of old friends and former Clinton staff, plus new friends to celebrate Carolyn's campaign for State Representative - District 32 and raise funds for her election. Guests will enjoy Doe's famous tamales, shrimp and salad. To RSVP call (501) 280-0082.

Wednesday, September 8

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.Doe's Eat Place

1023 West Markham Street, Little Rock

PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR CHAD CAUSEY

Please join President Bill Clinton and Chad Causey for a special reception and fundraiser to support his campaign for United States Congress.

Please join U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln and President Bill Clinton for a breakfast benefiting Victory Linc 2010, a joint fundraising committee between Senator Lincoln's campaign and the Democratic Party of Arkansas' coordinated campaign.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Time Today · 7:00pm - 11:00pm Location The Home of Hershey and Denise Garner 3390 E Mission Blvd Fayetteville, AR Created By Washington County Democratic Central Committee More Info The Washington County Democratic Central Committee hosts its fourth annual Democrats Rock concert Friday, August 27, at the home of Hershey and Denise Garner in Fayetteville. Tickets are $25. Student tickets are $10. Show begins at 7:00 PM. In addition to live music, food and drinks will be available. The event also features a silent auction.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Arkansas Chosen as One of 3 States to Launch National Energy Corps Program

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service to launch the National Energy Corps AmeriCorps program.

By forming collaborations with local non-profit organizations, community action agencies, local governments and energy service organizations, the National Energy Corps initiative will foster community sustainability by addressing the core challenges of clean energy:

The National Energy Corps program is an AmeriCorps initiative of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) in cooperation with The Corporation for National and Community Service that was created to address unmet community energy needs by promoting sustainable energy consumption and
education, fostering community sustainability and helping to mitigate the effects of global climate change.

The National Energy Corps initiative builds on the success of the Montana Energy Corps pilot, a program funded by the Montana Governor’s Office of Community Service. Since October of 2009, Energy Corps members in Montana have been busy assisting with weatherization services for low-incomes areas,
developing clean energy awareness campaigns for communities and performing community building energy audits on reservations.

“We see a need for sustainable energy services across the country,” says Energy Corps Program Director Holly Hill. “The Energy Corps program has been a great success in Montana and we hope we can replicate that success on a larger scale.”

As a product of the successful Montana Energy Corps program, the National Energy Corps initiative will launch this fall in three additional states, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Arkansas. The Arkansas Energy Corps program will be managed by the NCAT Southeast Regional Office, located in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
NCAT Southeast Regional Office Director Margo Hale says, “The Southeast Regional office is thrilled to be one of three states to launch the National Energy Corps initiative. This is a great opportunity for our region and our state.”

Arkansas will have approximately 15 National Energy Corps positions available, beginning in September 2010. Energy Corps members will serve an 11 month term of service and receive the same benefits as an AmeriCorps member, which include a monthly living stipend, an education award, health insurance
and a experience of a lifetime providing direct services to their community. National Energy Corps members will be placed with host organizations in communities throughout the state of Arkansas to implement solutions for sustainable energy.

NCAT is currently accepting applications from non-profit organizations interested in hosting an Energy Corps member. Host organizations will be required to provide a detailed description of how an Energy Corps member working for their program will facilitate clean energy-related services.

Applications for host organizations must be submitted by the close of business by July 20, 2010. More detailed information regarding this partnership opportunity is available by reviewing the full application instructions attached or by contacting Holly Hill at 406-494-8652/hollyh@ncat.org or Melissa Terry at 479.575.1382/melissat@ncat.org.

###

The National Center for Appropriate Technology is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976. NCAT’s innovative and diverse projects in the fields of
sustainable energy, sustainable agriculture and rural community development are supported by foundations, government/private sector grants and contracts, as well as through individual contributions and memberships.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Please click on image to enlarge view of Greg Leding celebrating his victory with his parents on May 18, 2010.

gregleding.com/home

Melissa Terry, former Fayetteville environmental adviser during the first Coody administration, one-time candidate for a Ward 2 city-council seat and multi-year director of the Northwest Arkansas office of Audubon Arkansas visited briefly with the Northwest Arkansas Newspapers' award-winning photographer Andy Shupe while waiting until 11 p.m. at Greg Leding's election-watch party for the election results to be announced on television.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Judy Bishop of Mountain View wrote a letter that was published in the May 2, 2010, Arkansas Democrat/Gazette and headlined "Poison was senseless."Bishop addresses another mindless action of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, an agency that may or may not be under the control of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Commission, which is in no way accountable to either the governor, God or the people of the state.So, if you agree with Ms. Bishop, please contact a highway commissioner from your area of Arkansas and point out that dredging out grassy swales (known to highway workers as ditches) or spraying roadsides with herbicides or even mowing such places where native wildflowers profilerate is plain wrong.A positive suggestion is that the highway commission help get federal farm-bill money to protect pollinators. That will help them put more money into travel and such. Also, it will eliminate the budget items for mowing, dredging and poisoning. Who can argue with that?Please use your computer's enlargement tool under View to enlarge to read or use link below to view original government PDF file.

Table 1 Major Farm Bill conservation programs that can be used to promote pollinators on working lands. All programs are voluntary. Please see the NRCS Web site for more information (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/), and visit the USDA Service Center Locator to find USDA offices that administer these programs

(http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app).

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Program Purpose Land eligibility Type of assistance

Grassland Reserve

Program (GRP)

Help owners and operators protect graz-

ing uses and related conservation values by

restoring and conserving eligible land through

rental contracts, easements, and restoration

agreements.

Historical grassland used primarily for graz-

ing that has high conservation, ecological, or

archeological value.

50% cost-share for restoration; annual payment

up to 75% of the grazing value of the land for 10-,

15-, or 20-year rental contracts, or easement pay-

ments no greater than fair market value less the

encumbered grazing value for permanent ease-

ments or easements for the maximum duration

allowed under State law. GRP is jointly admin-

istered by NRCS, FSA, and U.S. Forest Service.

Contact NRCS or FSA State or local office.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/GRP

Wetland Reserve Program

(WRP)

Land retirement program to restore, protect,

or enhance wetlands on private or Tribal

lands.

Farmed wetland or wetland converted to

agriculture before 1985, together with function-

ally dependent adjacent land, or cropland or

grassland that was used for agricultural produc-

tion prior to natural flooding.

Private lands: 1) Permanent easement payment

equal to forgone value plus 100% of restoration

costs; or 2) 30-year easement payment (75% of

forgone value) plus 75% of restoration costs; or

3) restoration cost-share agreement (usually 10

years) with payment of 75% of restoration costs.

Tribal lands: restored through any combination

of 2 and 3. Contact NRCS State or local office.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp

Wildlife Habitat Incentive

Program (WHIP)

Develop wildlife habitat on private and Tribal

lands.

High-priority fish and wildlife habitats, espe-

cially habitat for declining species, otherwise

unfunded beneficial practices, or locally deter-

mined fish and wildlife priority habitats.

Up to 75% cost-share for conservation practices

under standard 5- to 10-year contracts, or higher

cost-share for a limited number of 15-year con-

tracts. Contact NRCS State or local office.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip

Table 1 Major Farm Bill conservation programs that can be used to promote pollinators on working lands. All programs are voluntary. Please see the NRCS Web site for more information (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/), and visit the USDA Service Center Locator to find USDA offices that administer these programs

of habitat also may support solitary bee ground-nests where the soil surface is accessible, or bumble bees where vegeta-tion becomes dense or duff layers accumulate.

Conservation Cover (acre) 327 Can include diverse forbs (e.g., various legumes) to increase plant diversity and ensure flowers are in bloom for as long as possible, providing nectar and pollen throughout the season.

these conservation covers. Moving insect-pollinated crops no more than 800 feet during the rotation may help maintain local populations of native bees that have become established because of a specific crop or conservation cover.

Constructed Wetland (acre) 656 Can include stable soil as nesting substrate in more upland areas, as well as plants that provide pollen and nectar for native bees and other pollinators. Possible plant genera with obligate or facultative wetland species include: Asclepias,

Spiraea, and Vaccinium. Look for appropriate wetland plants for the region from these and other genera.

Contour Buffer Strips (acre) 332 Can include diverse legumes or other forbs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees. In addition, mowing only every 2 or 3 years to benefit wildlife also will benefit nesting bumble bees. To protect bumble bee nests, mowing should occur

in the late fall when colonies have died for the year and queens are overwintering.

Cover Crop (acre) 340 Can include diverse legumes or other forbs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees. Look for a diverse mix of cov-er crop plant species that come into bloom at different times and provide a sequence of bloom throughout the year. Some

examples include clover (Trifolium spp.), phacelia (Phacelia spp.), and buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.). Many “beneficial insect” cover crop blends include plant species that will also provide forage for pollinators.

Critical Area Planting (acre) 342 Can include flowering plant species that provide abundant pollen and nectar for native bees and other pollinators. Planted areas may support stable soil for ground-nesting solitary bees, or dense vegeta tion under which bumble bee

queens may hibernate or build nests.

Early Successional Habitat Development/Management (acre) 647 This management practice is important for maintaining open and sunny habitat for pollinators. Note: To minimize damage to pollinator populations, disturbance practices should be implemented only every 2 to 3

years in rotation and, ideally, on only 30% or less of the overall site. This allows for habitat heterogeneity and opportuni-ties for recoloni zation of non-treated habitat. For example, managers could mow or burn a small portion of the habitat

(less than 1/3 of the site each year or two) on a 3- to 6-year cycle. Alternatively, they could treat a fifth of the site each year, on a 5-year cycle. In addition, when possible, disturbance practices should be implemented when most pollinators

are inactive, such as from late fall to early spring. For details, see the Xerces Society publication Pollinators in Natural Areas: A Primer on Habitat Management.

Field Border (foot) 386 Can include diverse legumes or other forbs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees. Strive for a mix of forbs, vines, and shrubs that come into bloom at different times throughout the year. Site management (for example, mowing) should

occur in the late fall to minimize impacts on pollen and nectar sources used by pollinators. Alternatively, allowing field borders to become overgrown may provide nesting habitat for bumble bees, as well as abundant forage. Stable (untilled)

field borders may provide opportunities for solitary bees to nest in the soil.

Table 2 Conservation practices that can be used to create or enhance pollinator habitat

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Conservation practice (unit) Code Pollinator notes

Filter Strip (acre) 393 Can include legumes or other forbs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees. Look for a diverse mix of cover crop plant species that come into bloom at different times and provide a sequence of bloom throughout the year. Site manage-

ment (for example, mowing or burning) should occur in late fall to early spring to minimize impacts on pollinators.

Grassed Waterway (acre) 412 Can include diverse legumes or other forbs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees. In dry regions, these sites may be able to support flowering forbs with higher water requirements and thus provide bloom later in the summer.

Hedgerow Planting (foot) 422 Can include forbs, vines, and shrubs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees. Look for a diverse mix of plant spe-cies that come into bloom at different times and provide a sequence of bloom throughout the year. Bee nesting sites also

may be incorporated, including semi-bare ground or wooden block nests. Including strips of unmowed grasses and forbs along the edge of the hedgerow may provide nesting opportunities for bumble bees. This practice also can help reduce

the drift of pesticides into areas of pollinator habitat.

Herbaceous Wind Barriers (foot) 603 Can include diverse forbs and shrubs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees. Look for a diverse mix of plant spe-cies that come into bloom at different times and provide a sequence of bloom throughout the year.

Multi-Story Cropping (acre) 379 Can include woody plants carefully chosen to supply pollen and nectar for pollinators. Look for mixes of plants that flower at different times throughout the growing season and can support populations of pollinators over time.

Pasture and Hay Planting (acre) 512 Can include diverse legumes (e.g., alfalfa) or other forbs that, when in bloom, provide pollen and nectar for native bees.

Pest Management (acre) 595 In general, implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for a crop reduces the use and impact of pest control chemi-cals on pollinators. In addition, plant species commonly used in IPM to support the beneficial insects that help manage

pests also can support bees. Examples of these plants include: phacelia (Phacelia spp.), sunflowers (Helianthus spp.), buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), and yarrow (Achillea spp.). Pest management practices also can include replacement of

invasive or exotic plant species with flowering native trees, shrubs, vines, legumes, or other forbs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees. Look for a diverse mix of plant species that come into bloom at different times and provide a

sequence of bloom throughout the year.

Prescribed Burning (acre) 338 Can greatly benefit pollinators by maintaining a diverse mix of open, early succes sional habitat in various stages of habi-tat maturity.

Note: It is best if: 1) only 30% or less of a site is burned at any one time to allow for recolonization by pollinators from adjacent habitat; 2) burning occurs only every 3 to 6 years; and 3) burning occurs when pollinators are least active, such

as when most plants have senesced or in the fall.

Prescribed Forestry (acre) 409 Can help maintain open understory and forest gaps that support diverse forbs and shrubs that provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. Standing dead trees may be kept or drilled with smooth 3- to 6-inch deep holes to provide nesting sites for

bees.

Prescribed Grazing (acre) 528 Can help maintain early successional habitat and its associated flowering plants. Ensure that grazing objectives include a diverse plant community that incorporates legumes, forbs, and appropriate flowering woody species to create floral and

structural diversity.

Range Planting (acre) 550 Can include diverse legumes, other forbs and shrubs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees.

Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed (acre) 329 Can protect bees that are nesting in the ground at the base of the plants they pollinate. Soil tillage digs up these nests (located 0.5 to 3 feet underground) or blocks emergence of new adult bees bred the proceeding year.

Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats (acre) 643 Can be used to provide diverse locally grown native forage (forbs, shrubs, vines, and trees) and nesting resources for pol-linators. Many specialist pollinators that are closely tied to rare plants or habitats may significantly benefit from efforts to

protect rare habitat. In addition, certain rare plants require pollinators to reproduce. Note: Pollinator plants should only be planted if they were part of the rare ecosystem you are trying to restore.

Table 2 Conservation practices that can be used to create or enhance pollinator habitat—Continued

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Conservation practice (unit) Code Pollinator notes

Riparian Forest Buffer (acre) 391 Can include trees, shrubs, and forbs especially chosen to provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. The stable habitat may supply nest sites to solitary ground and wood-tunnel nesting bees, as well as bumble bees. This practice also can

help reduce drift of pesticides onto areas of pollinator habitat.

Riparian Herbaceous Cover (acre) 390 Can include diverse forbs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees. In drier parts of the U.S., many of these forbs flower in the late summer and fall, when pollinator forage is needed most.

Silvopasture Establishment (acre) 381 If grazing intensity is low enough to allow for plants to flower, this practice can include legumes and other forbs that provide pollen and nectar for bees. Trees and shrubs that provide pollen and nectar also can be planted.

Stream Habitat Improvement and Management (acre) 395 Plants chosen for adjoining riparian areas can include trees, shrubs, and forbs that provide pollen and nectar for pollina-tors. Maximizing plant diversity along riparian corridors will result in more pollinators and other terrestrial insects to

feed fish in the streams.

Streambank and Shoreline Protec-tion (foot) 580 If vegetation is used for streambank protection, plants can include trees, shrubs, and forbs especially chosen to provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. Good candidates include willow (Salix spp.), dogwood (Cornus spp.), and goldenrod

(Solidago spp.).

Stripcropping (acre) 585 Can include diverse legumes or other forbs that provide pollen and nectar for native bees. If insect pollinated crops are grown, plants used in adjacent strips of vegetative cover may be carefully chosen to provide a complementary bloom

period to the crop, such that the flowers available in the field are extended over a longer period of time.

Upland Wildlife Habitat Manage-ment (acre) 645 Can include managing for pollinator forage or pollinator nest sites, such as including nest blocks or snags for solitary bees that nest in tunnels in wood, access to bare soil for ground-nesting solitary bees, and small mammal burrows or

ment techniques that minimize the disruption of pollinator communities.

Vegetative Barriers (foot) 601 Can include plants that provide pollen and nectar for pollinators.

Wetland Enhancement (acre) 659 Wetland and adjacent upland can include trees, shrubs, and forbs especially chosen to provide pollen and nectar for pol-linators. Snags can be protected or nest blocks for bees erected.

Wetland Restoration (acre) 657 Wetland and adjacent upland can include trees, shrubs, and forbs especially chosen to provide pollen and nectar for pol-linators. Snags can be protected or nest blocks for bees erected.

Wetland Wildlife Habitat Manage-ment (acre) 644 Wetland and adjacent upland can include trees, shrubs, and forbs especially chosen to provide pollen and nectar for pol-linators. Snags can be protected or nest blocks for bees erected.

Note: Please see Early Successional Habitat Development/Management (647) and Prescribed Burning (338) for manage-ment techniques that minimize the disruption of pollinator communities.

Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establish-ment (foot) 380 Can include trees, shrubs, vines, and forbs especially chosen to provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. Windbreaks and shelter belts are a good place to put nesting structures for native bees, and they can help reduce drift of insecticides

onto a site.

Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation (foot) 650 Can include trees, shrubs, vines, and forbs especially chosen to provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. If appropriate, dead trees and snags may be kept or drilled with holes to provide nesting sites for bees.

Table 2 Conservation practices that can be used to create or enhance pollinator habitat—Continued

Note: Many FSA-sponsored CRP and CREP conservation practices are similar in name and intent, so the recommendations in this table can often be applied to them.